May 1, 2017 Page 1 of 16

Clips

(May 1, 2017)

May 1, 2017 Page 2 of 16

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

● Angels defeat Rangers, 5-2, to conclude April above .500

● Angels' Kole Calhoun breaks through

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

● Kole Calhoun leads Angels to another victory with bat and arm

● Angels Notes: J.C. Ramirez bounces back from a rough start

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 8)

● Halos back Ramirez's 9 K's to tackle Texas

● JC settles into rotation with 1st win as starter

● Bullpen of the Week: Angels

● Angels righty Guerra keeping lefties in check

● Shoemaker to start series opener vs. Mariners

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 13)

● Angels' Ramirez gets 1st win as starter, topping Rangers 5-2

FROM ORANGE COUNTY BREEZE (Page 15)

Anaheim youth enjoy lunch with Angels players

May 1, 2017 Page 3 of 16

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels defeat Rangers, 5-2, to conclude April above .500

By Pedro Moura

Trash, all kinds of it, scattered across Globe Life Park on a blustery Sunday afternoon in North Texas. Hot

dog wrappers, napkins and discarded chip bags were strewn about the infield for much of the series

finale between the Angels and Texas Rangers.

At one point Yunel Escobar, bored during a mound visit, even picked up a few pieces. He walked them

over to first-base coach Alfredo Griffin, who tried to discard them, only to find the same stuff flying back

a few seconds later.

The Angels played through the trash, as they did through all the other obstacles that darted their way in

April. And as they did for the month, they came out of it OK. They pitched pretty well, produced a

couple of big hits and topped Texas, 5-2, to conclude the month a game above .500.

“Aprils have been our Achilles’ heel the last few years,” said right fielder Kole Calhoun, who starred

Sunday. “So it’s nice to get out of here with a winning record.”

Angels starter JC Ramirez had averaged 97 mph with his fastball in his first three starts this season. His

first four pitches Sunday were all low-grade fastballs off the plate, between 91 and 93. He walked Delino

DeShields and soon let him steal second.

Ramirez later explained that home-plate umpire Bill Miller had prohibited him from throwing his normal

allotment of warmup pitches. He threw four or five instead of the normal eight. He was unsure if Miller

was exacting vengeance for his having discarded a new baseball when he first reached the mound.

“It kinda messed up my mind a little bit,” Ramirez said. “That’s why I walked that guy, I guess. But I told

myself, ‘Hey this is not me. Just forget about it.’”

So, he struck out Nomar Mazara. But Carlos Gomez rapped a single that scored DeShields, and then he

stole second. He broke for home on Rougned Odor’s subsequent single to right field.

Calhoun fielded it and rifled a perfect throw to the plate. Martin Maldonado adeptly applied the tag,

and Ramirez had a key out. He earned the inning’s third out on a fly ball to right.

Ramirez’s fastball velocity increased as the afternoon continued, in lock-step with his effectiveness. He

retired nine Rangers in a row, a run broken only by Shin-Soo Choo’s fifth-inning solo home run, around

which Ramirez struck out the side.

He struck out the first batter of the sixth, then exited after walking Gomez. As Angels manager Mike

Scioscia divvied up the remaining innings, left-hander Jose Alvarez replaced Ramirez and retired four

May 1, 2017 Page 4 of 16

consecutive men. Right-handers Blake Parker and Bud Norris split the rest of the game, Norris

registering his fifth save in as many tries.

Calhoun homered to begin the third for the Angels’ first run. Maldonado led off the fifth with a single,

and Yunel Escobar laced a double. With Maldonado running from third on contact, Calhoun grounded to

first base, where the Rangers’ Ryan Rua picked up the ball and threw home. Though Maldonado could

not score, he got in a rundown and managed to evade being tagged until Calhoun could reach second.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister ordered Mike Trout intentionally walked. Albert Pujols popped out to

short right field, but Jefry Marte shot a single through to center field to score two runs. Marte carried a

.152 average into play Sunday and a two-for-20 slump into that at-bat, but he said he remained

encouraged.

“I feel good every day,” he said afterward through interpreter Diego Lopez, as Pujols excitedly shouted

Marte’s name nearby.

Marte added the game’s last run on an eighth-inning solo shot, his second homer of 2017.

The Angels have 10 players on the disabled list, including their top starting pitcher and their top three

relievers. Their leadoff and cleanup hitters are hitting .234 and .231. But they finished April with 14 wins

in 27 tries, and they have not held a better record at this stage in a season since 2011.

“We feel good about some things that look like they’re moving in the right direction, and some things

we have to get going,” Scioscia said. “We’re not in great shape coming out of April, as far as what our

record is. But we’ve held our own enough to hopefully get settled and start and be that consistent

team.”

Angels' Kole Calhoun breaks through

By Pedro Moura

Kole Calhoun’s home run to straightaway center field that began third inning for the Angels on Sunday

ended two streaks with one swing.

Calhoun had batted 71 times since April 12 without an extra-base hit, by far the longest such stretch of

his career. And Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez had gone more than three years since giving up

a homer to a left-handed hitter at Globe Life Park.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know,” Calhoun said of his powerless record. “But it’s nice to break out of it.

I’ve been mixing in some hits, getting on base. I’ve been swinging the bat well, and now I’m starting to

get some results behind that."

Calhoun also had a rough April against left-handers. Sunday matched his month-long total of hits against

them: two.

The right fielder had two hits in each of the three weekend games against the Rangers.

May 1, 2017 Page 5 of 16

New starter

To replace left-hander Tyler Skaggs in the rotation, the Angels will select someone to start Thursday in

Seattle, but manager Mike Scioscia said he hasn’t decided who that will be.

It could be right-hander Daniel Wright, who last pitched April 23 and has since been demoted to triple A

and promoted. He threw a bullpen session during the eighth and ninth innings in Texas.

If it is not him, the Angels would likely have to call up a minor leaguer because none of their other

relievers has thrown even 50 pitches in a game this season.

The team put Skaggs on the 10-day disabled list Saturday because of a right oblique strain. Monday’s

day off would enable the Angels to wait until Saturday to add a starter to the rotation, but they will opt

against doing so it.

Short hops

Right-hander Andrew Bailey (shoulder inflammation) is nearing a return to the mound for a bullpen

session. Right-hander Cam Bedrosian (groin strain) activated his arm for the first time since he was put

on the disabled list a week ago “but just minimally,” Scioscia said. The two relievers remained in

Anaheim for the club’s current six-game trip. ...Angels reliever Blake Parker’s 20 strikeouts in April are

tied with closers Craig Kimbrel of Boston and Cody Allen of Cleveland for the second-most in the majors

among relievers. Houston’s Chris Devenski leads with 32. Parker, a 31-year-old journeyman, recorded 17

consecutive strikeouts to conclude spring training.

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Kole Calhoun leads Angels to another victory with bat and arm

By Jeff Fletcher

ARLINGTON, Texas — Kole Calhoun often says that saving a run defensively means as much to him as

producing a run.

Doing both, though, is even better.

Calhoun homered and threw out a runner at the plate in the Angels’ 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on

Sunday afternoon, finishing off a rollercoaster month for him and the team.

Calhoun has hit .344 in the Angels’ last seven games, six of which were victories.

“I’ve been mixing in some hits and getting on base,” Calhoun said. “I had been swinging the bat well, and

now starting to get some results behind that.”

May 1, 2017 Page 6 of 16

He has had three straight multi-hit games, and when he put the Angels on the board with a third-inning

homer it was his first extra-base hit since April 12. In between he endured a drought that included an 0 for

20. His slump coincided with a stretch in which the Angels were 2-10.

“His pitch-selection is better for sure,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He was hitting some balls hard, but

he’s really calmed down. He’s seeing the ball much better. You’re seeing him on more pitches. It was a

good day for him today.”

His day began with a defensive highlight. Calhoun, a former Gold Glove winner, cut down Carlos Gomez

trying to score from second on a single to right in the first inning.

Angels starter J.C. Ramirez had been wobbling, and he’d retired only one of the first four batters when

Rougned Odor singled to right. Calhoun helped him with the second out, and then Ramirez got out of the

inning and settled down to get into the sixth.

“Defense is something I pride myself on,” Calhoun said. “Keeping a run off the board in the first inning

might change the game. It kept it a one-run lead instead of two.”

And that one-run lead was erased the next time Calhoun came to bat, when he launched a solo homer to

right-center field against Texas lefty Martin Perez. His sixth-inning single was also against the lefty.

Besides Calhoun, the Angels’ other offensive star was Jefry Marte, who drove in three runs as he also

emerges from a nasty slump.

Marte snapped a 1-for-26 rut last week. Despite his average still sitting at .152 before Sunday’s game,

Scioscia had him in the No. 5 spot. Scioscia likes Marte’s approach against lefties and his pop.

In the first inning, he came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, and he hit a line drive directly

to the second baseman, Odor, who grabbed it and stepped on the bag for a double play.

In the fifth, he got another chance with the bases loaded and two outs, in a 1-1 game. This time Perez

threw him a changeup and he waited back just long enough to poke it up the middle for a two-run single.

In the ninth, Marte yanked a fastball over the left field fence for a homer, padding the lead to 5-2.

“I feel good every day,” Marte said through an interpreter. “I give my best effort every day. This is a tough

sport… One change I’m trying to make is not swinging at bad pitches. I’m being more selective and getting

better results.”

The extra run provided some cushion for Bud Norris, who recorded the last four of the bullpen’s 11 outs to

improve to 5 for 5 in save chances since becoming the closer.

Norris struck out the final three batters, finishing off a 14-13 month for the Angels, who had just their

second winning April in six years.

“April has kind of been our Achilles’ Heel the last few years,” Calhoun said. “It’s nice to get out of here with

a winning record, and on to May.”

May 1, 2017 Page 7 of 16

Angels Notes: J.C. Ramirez bounces back from a rough start

By Jeff Fletcher

ARLINGTON, Texas — The education of J.C. Ramirez, starting pitcher, continues to unfold in a fashion

better than the Angels likely expected.

The latest positive development was Ramirez showing that he can be effective even when he’s not at his

best.

After he allowed three of the first four batters to reach base in Sunday’s game, with command and velocity

both lacking, he nonetheless solved his issues and pitched 5 1/3 innings, with only two runs scoring.

“It was just a battle,” Ramirez said.

He said his battle began with plate umpire Bill Miller giving him only about four pitches, instead of the

customary eight, to warm up before the first inning. He then walked Delino DeShields on four pitches.

By the time the inning was over — with only one run on the board, thanks to Kole Calhoun throwing out a

runner at the plate — Ramirez realized what was going wrong.

“I figured out not to rush my mechanics,” he said. “Make it simple.”

Ramirez then slipped into gear, retiring nine in a row at one point. He struck out nine, equaling his career

high. His fastball, which was only about 93-94 mph in the first inning, was back up to 96-97 by the fifth.

“He wasn’t as electric today,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He didn’t have the crispness, but he struck out

nine guys. Maybe the fastball wasn’t quite as firm, but he used his slider and his curve effectively and

spotted his fastball too. He did a good job without his best stuff.”

Four outings into his career as a major league starter, Ramirez has a 3.97 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22-2/3

innings.

“I think he’s getting comfortable with the routine,” Scioscia said, “not only with how he preps for a game,

but being in a game and making adjustments and feeling what his best stuff is at a certain time. That takes

time. With J.C., we don’t have a lot of time. He’s had to learn on the fly, and he’s doing a good job.”

ALSO

Catcher Martin Maldonado reached base four times, finishing April with a .357 on-base percentage. He

also saw the Rangers steal four bases against him, which was double the total he’d allowed in the rest of

the month. The first three were all while Ramirez was on the mound, and Ramirez didn’t give him much

shot to get the runners. On the last one, the runner was initially called out at second, but the call was

reversed upon review. …

Luis Valbuena is still on track to be activated on Tuesday, even though the Angels are facing lefty James

Paxton, so he probably won’t start. Valbuena was 6 for 19 with five RBI in the first five games of his six-

May 1, 2017 Page 8 of 16

game rehab assignment at Class-A Inland Empire. “He’s passing all the tests of his health,” Scioscia said.

“He’s getting acclimated to the batter’s box. There are always adjustment periods, but we feel he’ll be

ready for the challenge.” …

Andrew Bailey is getting “pretty close” to being able to throw off a mound, Scioscia said. Bailey, who is on

the disabled list because of a shoulder issue, has been throwing at a distance of up to 150 feet. Bailey

needs to throw a few bullpen sessions and then pitch a game or two in the minors, so he could be ready in

about two weeks. …

Cam Bedrosian, on the disabled list because of a groin injury, has begun playing catch, Scioscia said. …

The Angels will insert a starter into their rotation on Thursday to replace Tyler Skaggs. Because of

Monday’s off day, they could have waited until Saturday, but the Angels prefer to have the other starters

get the extra day off. Daniel Wright is likely to start Thursday, unless he’s needed in the bullpen before

then.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Halos back Ramirez's 9 K's to tackle Texas

By Anthony Andro and Chris Vannini / Special to MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Jefry Marte drove in three runs and JC Ramirez racked up a career-high-tying nine

strikeouts as the Angels clinched a series win over the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Sunday.

Ramirez allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings to help the Angels finished April with a winning record for

only the second time since 2012, now sitting at 14-13. It was Ramirez's first Major League win as a

starter since moving to the rotation earlier this month, and his second straight strong performance.

"There's no doubt he wasn't as crisp, but he still spun the ball well and got into the sixth inning," Angels

manager Mike Scioscia said.

Rangers left-hander Martin Perez allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings, including eight hits and four

walks. The Rangers, who had a season-high 14 strikeouts on Sunday, finished 6-4 on this 10-game

homestand.

Three of the four runs Perez allowed came with two outs, including Marte's two-run single in the fifth

inning that snapped a 2-2 tie.

"I'm trying to pitch for contact and my sinker was good all day," said Perez, whose one strikeout

matched the fewest he's had in a game since July 15, 2016. "They don't swing a lot at that pitch. I was

attacking the zone in the third inning, the fourth and the fifth. They didn't hit a lot of balls hard. That's

just part of the game. I'll just keep working and be ready for my next start."

May 1, 2017 Page 9 of 16

The Rangers didn't help Perez offensively, finishing 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and setting

a new season high with 15 strikeouts. The 15 strikeouts are the most by the Rangers since they had 16

strikeouts June 30, 2016, against the New York Yankees.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Marte's redemption: In the first inning, Marte lined into a double play with the bases loaded. With the

score tied at one in the fifth, he came up again with the bases loaded and two outs. This time, Marte

singled to center to drive home two runs and give the Angels a 3-1 lead. He added a solo homer in the

ninth.

"This is a difficult sport, and you have to battle," Marte said through a team translator.

Odor squanders late chance: The bottom of the eighth appeared to end when Rangers outfielder Nomar

Mazara was caught stealing, but the call was overturned on replay. Carlos Gomez then walked, and first

baseman Rougned Odor came up with two on, two outs, trailing 4-2. Odor worked a full count, but

struck out.

QUOTABLE

"Today it was a situation where we had the 15 strikeouts on offense. They had their game plan. They

were only going to show fastball really and utilize the secondary stuff to keep our guys off balance.

There were some situations today where we chased some stuff outside the zone." -- manager Jeff

Banister

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Kole Calhoun's leadoff homer in the third inning was the first by a left-handed hitter off Perez in

Arlington in almost three years. The last lefty to take Perez deep in Texas? Boston's David Ortiz on May

10, 2014.

REPLAY REVIEW

There were back-to-back replay reviews in the eighth inning. Mazara reached first on a fielder's choice

that was nearly a double play, and the Angels challenged a call of slide interference by Delino

DeShields at second base. The call was upheld after an 18-second review.

When Mazara stole second, but was called out, the Rangers challenged, and that call was overturned

after a one-minute, 29-second review.

Rangers challenge tag in the 8th

WHAT'S NEXT

Angels: The Angels are off Monday and then head to Seatte for a three-game series beginning on

Tuesday. Matt Shoemaker takes the mound for the Angels. He allowed seven runs (six earned) against

the Mariners on April 9.

May 1, 2017 Page 10 of 16

Rangers: Right-hander Andrew Cashner is looking for his first win of the season as the Conroe, Texas

native gets the start in the series opener Monday in Houston. He is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA in 10 starts

against the Astros.

JC settles into rotation with 1st win as starter

By Chris Vannini / Special to MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- JC Ramirez was only making his fourth Major League start, so when he was surprised he

only got four or five pitches on the mound in warmup, it took him off his game early. But he rebounded

with a second straight strong performance in a 5-2 Angels win over the Rangers.

Ramirez allowed two earned runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings, with a career-high-tying nine

strikeouts, to pick up his first Major League win as a starter after moving to the rotation earlier this

month.

When he got to the mound in warmup, Ramirez said he tossed a ball back, the umpire told him it was a

new ball, and he only got four or five warmup pitches. Then the game started and he walked Delino

DeShields to lead off the bottom of the first.

"It messed up my mind a bit. That's why I walked the guy," Ramirez said. "Then I told myself, 'This is not

me. Forget about it.' I think that was the toughest inning. But I made the pitches I had to, and the

defense helped me a lot."

DeShields came around to score, but Ramirez only allowed two hits after the first inning. One was a solo

home run by Rangers designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo. It wasn't the sharpest performance, but he

struck out nine, including four looking.

"He wasn't as electric today. I don't know if he didn't have quite the crispness of his stuff, but he struck

out nine guys," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Maybe the fastball wasn't quite as firm, but he used

both his slider and curve effectively, spotted his fastball. He did a good job without his best stuff."

Only 56 of Ramirez' 91 pitches were strikes, including 20 of 33 fastballs (60.6 percent) and 29 of 47

sliders (61.7 percent), according to BrooksBaseball.net's PITCHf/x tool.

"The fastball command was a little off today, but I battled today," Ramirez said. "I put more effort than

the other times."

Ramirez had to move into the rotation due to injuries, but this performance comes after seven shutout

innings against the Athletics last week. As he gets more comfortable with the role, he makes a stronger

case to stay there.

"He's getting comfortable with routine. He's getting comfortable with not only how he preps for a game,

but being in a game, making adjustments and feeling what his best stuff is at a certain time," Scioscia

said. "That takes time. With JC, we don't have a lot of time. He has to work on the fly, and he's doing a

good job."

May 1, 2017 Page 11 of 16

Bullpen of the Week: Angels

Norris emerges as closer, goes 4-for-4 in saves

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

The Angels stormed back into contention in the American League West in the last week of April. They

won on Sunday afternoon to take a 14-13 record into May. And they would not have been able to do it

without the exceptional work of their relief pitchers.

Manager Mike Scioscia's club has once again suffered injuries to its starting rotation and bullpen,

with Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, Huston Street, Cam Bedrosianand Andrew Bailey all on the disabled

list. But the remaining men in the relief corps have stepped up, and their work over the past seven days

of the Major League season have earned them the honor of "MLB Bullpen of the Week presented by The

Hartford."

As part of the MLB Prevailing Moments program, each Monday throughout the 2017 season, MLB.com is

honoring the Bullpen of the Week. An industry-wide panel of MLB experts, including legendary stats

guru Bill James, constructed a metric based on James' widely renowned game-score formula, to provide

a weekly measurement of team-bullpen performance.

Here's how the Bullpen Rating System is compiled for each week. For reference, a weekly score of 100 is

considered outstanding:

• Add 1.5 points for each out recorded

• Add 1.5 points for each strikeout

• Add 5 points for a save

• Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed

• Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed

• Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed

• Subtract 1 point for each walk

• Subtract 5 points for a blown save

The Angels bullpen scored a rating of 100.5 points by allowing eight earned runs and 16 hits in 24

innings. Relievers struck out 29 batters against seven walks, and they earned five saves.

The week began with the Angels trading for right-handed reliever David Hernandez from Atlanta, and

Hernandez was lights-out in four games, earning three holds during the week with 3 2/3 scoreless

innings and five strikeouts. Blake Parker chipped in with 2 1/3 scoreless frames in his three games, and

lefty Jose Alvarez gave up only one run in 4 1/3 innings over four games.

The unexpected: The Angels entered the week with a question mark in the closer role. They exited with

a solution in the form of an unlikely source: veteran former starter Bud Norris, who made the team as a

non-roster invitee.

May 1, 2017 Page 12 of 16

How they prevailed: Norris went 4-for-4 in save opportunities, struck out eight batters in 4 1/3 innings

and did not give up a run.

"I'm really enjoying it," Norris said. "This bullpen thing has been new, but I'm really taking the ball and

running with it. ... The game speeds up, you really hear the crowd in the ninth inning, and that's

something that you can really build off of. I'm really enjoying it, and I hope it can help me propel my

career for a long time."

The Angels' week of work was enough to outpace other solid bullpen weeks around the big leagues. The

Padres finished second behind the Angels with a rating of 89, and the defending World Series champion

Cubs finished third at 84.5.

Angels righty Guerra keeping lefties in check

By Chris Vannini / Special to MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Deolis Guerra's splits against right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters couldn't be

more different this year, but also not in the way you'd expect.

On the season, lefties are hitting .091 (1-for-11) against the right-handed Guerra, and righties are hitting

.333 (4-for-12). His splits favored right-handed hitters last year, at .288 by righties to .210 by lefties.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia has noticed. Guerra may not be your left-handed specialist, but he's

pitched like one so far.

"It's something we've noticed for a while since we got him," Scioscia said. "I think his stuff naturally plays

well against lefties, and he's trying to expand that repertoire and consistency to be more effective

against righties, because that's where a lot of the damage has come from."

On Friday, Guerra pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning against the Rangers, striking out two and recording the

win. But of the five hits Guerra has allowed on the year, three have been home runs.

In six appearances this season, Guerra has thrown 41 changeups, 38 fastballs and 22 cutters, according

to BrooksBaseball.net. It's that third pitch Scioscia says the 28-year-old Guerra needs to finetune to have

a bigger role and fix some issues against righties.

"He's been very comfortable against lefties because of his ability to get angle on his fastball and get it in

good spots with his changeup," Scioscia said. "He's got a cutter that will help him, once he harnesses it,

against righties, which he's had trouble with."

Shoemaker to start series opener vs. Mariners

By William Kosileski / MLB.com

After a 10-game road trip through Oakland, Detroit and Cleveland, the Mariners will return to Safeco

Field in Seattle for the first time since April 19, as they play host to the Angels on Tuesday.

May 1, 2017 Page 13 of 16

"Its been a long trip. No doubt," Mariners manager Scott Servais said.

James Paxton will look to continue his hot start to the season, as he will make his sixth start. Four of the

left-hander's first five starts were scoreless outings. In those four starts combined, Paxton allowed only

12 hits and five walks while recording 31 strikeouts. His only non-quality start came on April 20 in

Oakland, when he allowed five runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The left-hander goes into Tuesday's start with a 1.39 ERA, and is coming off seven shutout innings

against the Tigers on Wednesday. In seven career starts vs. the Angels, Paxton has gone 3-2 with a 2.17

ERA with 40 strikeouts.

Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker is scheduled to pitch opposite of Paxton and will make his fifth

start of the season. In his last start against the A's, Shoemaker went five innings and allowed two runs

on five hits while striking out six to pick up his first win.

Quick hits

• In his career vs. Shoemaker, Nelson Cruz has gone 7-for-23 with two homers, a double and five RBIs.

Cruz comes into this series swinging a hot bat, as the Mariners designated hitter has hit safely in 10

consecutive games. In addition, Cruz has homered in two straight games, and in five of his last six games

played.

• Paxton has held Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in check in his career. In Trout's 20 career at-bats against

Paxton, he has gone 2-for-20 with a double, a walk and 10 strikeouts. Pujols hasn't faired much better,

as the designated hitter has gone 4-for-20, but has hit two homers and a double with five RBIs.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

.

Angels' Ramirez gets 1st win as starter, topping Rangers 5-2

ARLINGTON, Texas -- JC Ramirez intrigued the Los Angeles Angels as a possible starter if the need ever

arose.

It's more than intrigue now.

Ramirez got his first win as a starter on the right-hander's fourth try after 111 career relief appearances,

and Jefry Marte homered and hit a tiebreaking, two-run single to help the Angels beat the Texas

Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Ramirez (3-2) matched his career high from two starts earlier with nine strikeouts in 5

1/3 innings. He has been filling in for Garrett Richards, who hasn't pitched since leaving his first start

with a right biceps strain.

May 1, 2017 Page 14 of 16

"We knew he had definitely a terrific live fastball, he's got a good slider, he's got the curveball," manager

Mike Scioscia said. "With that three-pitch mix, we thought that we would look at him to see if he was

viable. There was a need, and he's getting his chance."

Ramirez threw seven scoreless innings in his previous start but got a no-decision. He had been a reliever

for Philadelphia, Arizona, Seattle and Cincinnati in a span of four seasons when he joined the Angels on a

waiver claim last June. Two of his six career wins in relief came this season.

Ramirez, who gave up four hits and two runs, struck out six of the last eight batters he faced, leaving

after hitting Carlos Gomez with a pitch. Shin-Soo Choo had a solo homer during that stretch.

"I want to throw a lot of innings every time I go out there," Ramirez said. "Right now, my mind is not

like, I want to get 20 wins. I don't want to get 10 wins. It's just, try to gain."

Bud Norris struck out four of the five batters he faced for his fifth save, including Rougned Odor with

two on to end the eighth. The Rangers struck out a season-high 15 times.

Marte's two-out single in the fifth came after the Rangers gave Mike Trout a no-pitch intentional walk to

load the bases and Texas starter Martin Perez (1-4) retired Albert Pujols on a popup. Marte had a solo

homer in the ninth.

"We got beat today with two-out, run-scoring opportunities that they were able to capitalize on," Texas

manager Jeff Banister said. "We don't do that and the other team does that, it's a challenge to win

baseball games."

Kole Calhoun hit a solo homer in the third, had two hits, scored twice and saved Ramirez a run by

throwing out the speedy Gomez trying to score from second on a single with Texas leading 1-0 in the

first inning.

Calhoun's homer, his second, was the first by a left-handed hitter against Perez in Arlington since David

Ortiz connected for Boston on May 10, 2014. Perez gave up eight hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

No. 9 hitter Martin Maldonado reached base all four times for the Angels with a double, a single and

two walks.

Gomez singled in the first for his fifth straight hit and reached base three times a day after hitting for the

cycle.

PROFAR DEMOTED

The Rangers claimed infielder Pete Kozma off waivers from the Yankees and sent slumping former top

prospect Jurickson Profar to Triple-A Round Rock. Kozma was designated for assignment Friday when

New York shortstop Didi Gregorius was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Profar has made 13

starts in left field and is hitting .135 (5 for 37).

PINNED BY PUJOLS

May 1, 2017 Page 15 of 16

The 37-year-old slugger left the bases loaded in consecutive at-bats. After the popout for the second out

preceding Marte's single in the fifth, Pujols struck out in the sixth after the second straight walk to Trout

-- this one unintentional. Pujols was 0 for 4 and is hitting .231 with three homers in 104 at-bats.

SHINING SHORTSTOPS

Each shortstop made a standout play in the late innings, starting with Andrelton Simmons when he was

playing behind the bag at second and snagged Choo's liner in the seventh. Elvis Andrus robbed Trout of

a bloop hit with a sprinting grab in the ninth.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-1, 4.73 ERA) faces Seattle for the second time this season in the opener

of a three-game road series Tuesday. He allowed a season-high seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-

decision April 9 at home.

Rangers: Houston-area native Andrew Cashner (0-2, 2.93) pitches the opener of a four-game series at

the Astros on Monday. The right-hander walked six but allowed just two runs in an 8-1 loss to Minnesota

in his previous start.

FROM ORANGE COUNTY BREEZE

Anaheim youth enjoy lunch with Angels players

Seventeen Anaheim children from the West Anaheim Little League and the Boys and Girls Club Anaheim

enjoyed the chance to meet and engage with some of their favorite Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

players during the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Angels Baseball Luncheon on Tuesday.

The children’s attendance was made possible by Visit Anaheim, who sponsored two tables for these

groups.

The Angels Baseball Luncheon, hosted by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, strives to connect the

Anaheim business community with a professional sports team which serves as an economic engine for

the City by creating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue each season. This event also

brings that opportunity for their members and Anaheim youth organizations.

“It was very special for our boys to hear from two great pitchers on how to stay focused and work hard

as they continue to work on their own pitching skills,” said Coach Joe Ramirez. “We are so thankful for

the opportunity they got today!”

In attendance at this year’s event were Angels pitchers, Garrett Richards and Andrew Bailey who spoke

about their time with the Angels and about the obstacles they have had to overcome to make it to the

major leagues. They answered questions from the kids, took pictures with them, and signed autographs.

May 1, 2017 Page 16 of 16

“It’s really important for me to give back to the community, I think mentoring is such an important part

of being a public figure,” said Bailey.